Exploding Planet 2

Here is another tutorial that shows you how to create an exploding planet, a different approach to the previous tutorial..

With this tutorial, we will be working
photos of dried cracked mud, so go to google images
and search for "dried
mud". It works best on pictures with birds
eye view (direct view from top) so we can see the cracks.
Alternatively, you can use any of the images below.
(Click to get larger size). Please note that the steps
may differ if your image is significantly different
to the one im using in this tutorial, so experiment
:)

I'll be working on the
2nd image. Base on that image, I start a new document
640x480.

Now open the mud image up, on the dirt image, do a
CTRL+A to select all, then go to the
new document you just created and press CTRL+V
to paste the image.

The cracks are dark, so
we'll invert the image so it becomes white, this will
give it a better explosion effect. so go to Image » Adjustment » Invert
(or press CTRL+I).

Now use the eliptical marquee tool and make a large
round selection on the image. Hold SHIFT while you create
the selection to make a perfect round circle.

Click to view larger image

Now go to Select » Inverse,
Then hit Delete so you are left with
a circle from the mud image. DO NOT DESELECT
YET.

Click to view larger image

Now, while you still got
your selection, go to SELECT » INVERSE
again to select the shape.

Now go to Filter » Distort » Spherize.
Set amount to 100%. Then do
it again, this time, 50%. You can now deselect.